Torrential rains, which flooded major thoroughfares and submerged thousands of homes in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta over the weekend overtake more homes with each subsequent hour. Though the area is prone to flooding, authorities say this is beyond anything they had prepared for, and Jakarta cannot be sufficiently protected.
Indonesia is rated one of the top first five countries most frequently hit by natural disasters over the last decade. Flooding began in its West Java area Saturday with extraordinarily heavy rains that cause the Ciliwung River, usually 20 inches (50 cm), to swell to 47 inches (120 cm). On Sunday morning, the waters reached south Jakarta, and by Monday afternoon much of the capital had been inundated.
Jakarta’s traffic police unit reported damage on the streets: collapsed trees due to strong winds, vehicles and especially motorbikes broken down as flood waters permeated engines.
In some parts of east Jakarta, such as Kampung Pulo and Kampung Melayu, water depth reached 8.2 feet (2.5 m).
